Commander-List Digest Archive

Tue 07/28/09


Total Messages Posted: 2



Today's Message Index:
----------------------
 
     1. 09:19 AM - Re: OSHKOSH (craig kennedy)
     2. 06:09 PM - Re: OSHKOSH ()
 
 
 


Message 1


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    Time: 09:19:31 AM PST US
    From: craig kennedy <white_rhino_ps@yahoo.com>
    Subject: OSHKOSH
    John, You have noted a critical problem we all face.=C2- Aging airframes are on e thing, aging parts, reduced inventories of spares are worrisome as well. =C2- Aging expertise among mechanics, A&P's, and IA's is far worse in my mind as the learning curve is very expensive to us all.=C2- As folks like Morris leave the business, the space is partly filled by a second tier of "apprentice" resources.=C2- However, lots of shops just bill time and lab or as they learn/relearn these airplanes!=C2- At least in your case, you were able to ship the engine to Morris.=C2- In my case, my guru (Richard Cam), had to spend several weeks in the middle of nowhere making sure the a irplane was safe to fly, even with 2 rebuilt engines and props!=C2- That is tough work (I know, I was there).=C2- It's my experience that less and less people actually have the experience to work in the field like this. =C2- All this just adds time and money to the "bill".=C2- Just a few th oughts.... Craig --- On Mon, 7/27/09, John Vormbaum <john@vormbaum.com> wrote: From: John Vormbaum <john@vormbaum.com> Subject: RE: Commander-List: OSHKOSH =0A=0A =0A=0A=0A=0A=0A=0A=0A=0A=0A=0A=0A=0A =0A _filtered #yiv80491104 {=0A font-family:Tahoma;}=0A _filtered #yiv80491104 {margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1 .25in;}=0A#yiv80491104 P.MsoNormal {=0AMARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;FONT-FAMILY:"Time s New Roman";FONT-SIZE:12pt;}=0A#yiv80491104 LI.MsoNormal {=0AMARGIN:0in 0i n 0pt;FONT-FAMILY:"Times New Roman";FONT-SIZE:12pt;}=0A#yiv80491104 DIV.Mso Normal {=0AMARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;FONT-FAMILY:"Times New Roman";FONT-SIZE:12pt; }=0A#yiv80491104 A:link {=0ACOLOR:blue;TEXT-DECORATION:underline;}=0A#yiv80 491104 SPAN.MsoHyperlink {=0ACOLOR:blue;TEXT-DECORATION:underline;}=0A#yiv8 0491104 A:visited {=0ACOLOR:purple;TEXT-DECORATION:underline;}=0A#yiv804911 04 SPAN.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {=0ACOLOR:purple;TEXT-DECORATION:underline;} =0A#yiv80491104 P.MsoAutoSig {=0AMARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;FONT-FAMILY:"Times New Roman";FONT-SIZE:12pt;}=0A#yiv80491104 LI.MsoAutoSig {=0AMARGIN:0in 0in 0pt ;FONT-FAMILY:"Times New Roman";FONT-SIZE:12pt;}=0A#yiv80491104 DIV.MsoAutoS ig {=0AMARGIN:0in 0in 0pt;FONT-FAMILY:"Times New Roman";FONT-SIZE:12pt;}=0A #yiv80491104 SPAN.EmailStyle18 {=0AFONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:windowtext;}=0A# yiv80491104 SPAN.EmailStyle19 {=0AFONT-FAMILY:Arial;COLOR:navy;}=0A#yiv8049 1104 DIV.Section1 {=0A}=0A=0AI got a bad tank of gas from a 50-yr-old fuel truck at the Jet =0ACenter in Scottsdale last May. I think it plugged the i njectors on the #1 =0Acylinder causing it to run hot (I noticed it a little hot on the JPI on the =0Aflight home, but by then it was too late I'm sure ). The rings broke and that =0Acylinder stopped making power. No big deal i n itself, but when we went to change =0Athe cylinder Morris discovered that the case was cracked. So off to the overhaul =0Ashop.=0A=C2-=0ABusiness has been in the gutter so I chipped away at it slowly =0Ato conserve cash. I'll finally be flying by next week with a fresh annual and a =0Anew engine . Yay. Sort of. Unfortunately it was the "new" engine (~800 hrs) that =0Adi ed, so now I have a 0-time engine and one with 1,549 hours on a 1,600 hour =0ATBO. Luckily the high-time engine runs like a swiss watch and has been f lawless. =0AI'm hoping to at least get it to 2k hours before I have to spri ng for that one =0Atoo. It would be nice if I could make it last until the economy comes back a =0Alittle bit anyway.=0A=C2-=0AMorris did give me a whole new engine mount (that entire large =0Ahanger assembly) and he rebuil t the bottom of the nacelle. He also plumbed it =0Afor the larger-style oil cooler, and had new exhausts built, so theoretically =0Athat side is good for another 40 years. It looks awesome.=C2-I just have the =0Afunny feeli ng that I'll be repeating this exercise in a year or two on the other =0Asi de.=0A=C2-=0AWe'll have to talk at some point. Morris is my friend and is =0Avery knowledgeable, but he's 75 years old now. I don't know how much lo nger =0Ahe'll be doing this, and it'll be a very sad day for me when I have to look for =0Aanother mechanic. I hope your guy works out well. Sending h im to Towner =0AUniversity was a good idea...I hope you didn't foot the who le bill for =0Athat!=0A=C2-=0AHave fun in Oshkosh and watch out for all t he 20hr/yr. yahoos =0Athat fly there. Based on Dave's comments, you might w ant to pack a lightning rod =0Atoo.=0A=C2-=0A/J PS: I called the Jet Center and gave them hell, but =0Athey just said, "not our fault, our truck is fine. Sorry, can't help you." I'm =0Anever going t here again, that's for sure.... =0A=0A=0AFrom: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com =0A[mailto:owner-c ommander-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Randy =0ADettmer, AIA Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 4:28 PM Subject: RE: Commander-List: =0AOSHKOSH =0A=0A=0AHey =0AJohn, =0AGood to hear from =0Ayou.=C2- New engine, huh ???=C2- I know all about new engines.=C2- 53X is =0Aflying great, with new engines, props, JPI analyzer, and a bunch of other =0Aoverhauled stuff.=C2- I have been flying quite a bit, with projects scattered =0Athr oughout the state.=C2- The airplane really hums along, fast and =0Asmooth .=C2- I have located an excellent mechanic here at SBP.=C2- He went =0A back to study Commanders with John Towner=99s operation.=C2- He is now getting =0Aexperience with a 680F (mine).=C2- Thanks for the contact info on Dave =0APhifer.=C2- I=99ll stop by and say hello. =0A =C2 - =0ARandy =0A =C2- =0A=0A =0A =C2- =0ADettmer =0AArchitecture =0A663 =0AHill Street =0ASan =0ALuis Obispo, =0A CA =C2-=0A 93405 =0A805 =0A541 4864 / Fax 805 541 4865 =0Awww.dettmerarchitecture.com =0A =C2- =0A=0A =0A=0A=0AFrom: =0Aowner-commander-list-server@matronics.com =0A[mailto:owne r-commander-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of John Vormbaum Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 4:15 =0APM Subject: RE: Commander-List:=0A=0A OSHKOSH =0A =C2- =0AHi =0ARandy, =0A =C2- =0AI'm not going this =0Ayear...Morris is hanging my new engine tomo rrow (yay!). I hope to see you in =0A Carson City for =0Athe fly-in though. =0A=C2- =0AI just talked to Dave =0APhifer from Washington state, he's a super guy, =0Aand he's sitting under his wing at=0A Oshkosh watching the t hunder & lightning =0Aand trying to stay dry. He has a 500B with the Merlyn 320hp upgrade, and he =0Aflies it a ton. I'll email you his cell # directl y in a moment. Look him up, I'm =0Asure you guys have lots in common. =0A =C2- =0AAlso stop by the =0ABrightline bags booth http://www.brightlineba gs.com/=C2-while =0Ayou're there and say hi to my close friend Bryan Smit h. I have a bag from them =0Aand I think it's the best pilot bag ever made. Drop my name and Bry will =0Aprobably give you a great discount! =0A=C2- =0AHow's your airplane? =0ABeen flying much? =0A=C2- =0ACheers, =0A=C2 - =0A/J =0A =C2- =0A=0A=0A=0AFrom: =0Aowner-commander-list-server@matro nics.com =0A[mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Randy Dettmer, AIA Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 3:05 =0APM Subject: Commander-List:=0A=0A OSHKOSH =0AGreetings from =0ACommanderland, =0AAnybody going to=0A OSH ..??=C2- I am heading =0Ato Oshkosh =0Atomorro w to spend a couple of days at the air show on Wednesday and =0AThursday. =C2- If any of you will be there (with your Commandersor not) pl ease =0Agive me a shout to touch base.=C2- It would be nice to say hello and share =0Asome CC ( =9CCommander Camaraderie=9D ).=C2- Cel l phone is 805 459 =0A0806. =0A =C2- =0ARandy Dettmer, =0AAIA =0A680F / =0AN6253X =0A =C2- =0A =0A =C2- =0ADettmer =0AArchitecture =0A663 =0AHi ll Street =0ASan =0ALuis Obispo, =0A CA =C2-=0A 93405 =0A805 =0A541 4864 / Fax 805 541 4865 =0Awww.dettmerarchitecture.com =0A =C2-=0A=0A=0A


    Message 2


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    Time: 06:09:02 PM PST US
    From: <dfalik@sbcglobal.net>
    Subject: OSHKOSH
    Craig et al, Amen to all your comments. There is also the "bucket" principle which has to do with the mechanics having a bucket to fill to survive. With fewer of us flying and using the mechanics, they use us more to fill their buckets. An example is the recent $23.5K annual on my 500S. This was after a $14.5K annual the year before by the same mechanic. This year he decided that all the hydraulic hoses were unairworthy. These were the same hoses that were on the plane new when I bought it 5 years ago. It passed 5 annuals. Now he felt that the gap was not with in FAA specifications and all had to be changed. I don't think it is the price of fuel that is driving people away from general aviation but all the factors stated associated with the maintanance issues. I am trying to sell my 500S only because I lost my local mechanic/friend and it is a financial nightmare whenever another unfamiliar mechanic works on the plane. Don -----Original Message----- From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of craig kennedy Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 12:14 PM To: commander-list@matronics.com Subject: RE: Commander-List: OSHKOSH John, You have noted a critical problem we all face. Aging airframes are one thing, aging parts, reduced inventories of spares are worrisome as well. Aging expertise among mechanics, A&P's, and IA's is far worse in my mind as the learning curve is very expensive to us all. As folks like Morris leave the business, the space is partly filled by a second tier of "apprentice" resources. However, lots of shops just bill time and labor as they learn/relearn these airplanes! At least in your case, you were able to ship the engine to Morris. In my case, my guru (Richard Cam), had to spend several weeks in the middle of nowhere making sure the airplane was safe to fly, even with 2 rebuilt engines and props! That is tough work (I know, I was there). It's my experience that less and less people actually have the experience to work in the field like this. All this just adds time and money to the "bill". Just a few thoughts.... Craig --- On Mon, 7/27/09, John Vormbaum <john@vormbaum.com> wrote: From: John Vormbaum <john@vormbaum.com> Subject: RE: Commander-List: OSHKOSH To: commander-list@matronics.com Date: Monday, July 27, 2009, 5:16 PM I got a bad tank of gas from a 50-yr-old fuel truck at the Jet Center in Scottsdale last May. I think it plugged the injectors on the #1 cylinder causing it to run hot (I noticed it a little hot on the JPI on the flight home, but by then it was too late I'm sure). The rings broke and that cylinder stopped making power. No big deal in itself, but when we went to change the cylinder Morris discovered that the case was cracked. So off to the overhaul shop. Business has been in the gutter so I chipped away at it slowly to conserve cash. I'll finally be flying by next week with a fresh annual and a new engine. Yay. Sort of. Unfortunately it was the "new" engine (~800 hrs) that died, so now I have a 0-time engine and one with 1,549 hours on a 1,600 hour TBO. Luckily the high-time engine runs like a swiss watch and has been flawless. I'm hoping to at least get it to 2k hours before I have to spring for that one too. It would be nice if I could make it last until the economy comes back a little bit anyway. Morris did give me a whole new engine mount (that entire large hanger assembly) and he rebuilt the bottom of the nacelle. He also plumbed it for the larger-style oil cooler, and had new exhausts built, so theoretically that side is good for another 40 years. It looks awesome. I just have the funny feeling that I'll be repeating this exercise in a year or two on the other side. We'll have to talk at some point. Morris is my friend and is very knowledgeable, but he's 75 years old now. I don't know how much longer he'll be doing this, and it'll be a very sad day for me when I have to look for another mechanic. I hope your guy works out well. Sending him to Towner University was a good idea...I hope you didn't foot the whole bill for that! Have fun in Oshkosh and watch out for all the 20hr/yr. yahoos that fly there. Based on Dave's comments, you might want to pack a lightning rod too. /J PS: I called the Jet Center and gave them hell, but they just said, "not our fault, our truck is fine. Sorry, can't help you." I'm never going there again, that's for sure.... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Randy Dettmer, AIA Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 4:28 PM To: commander-list@matronics.com Subject: RE: Commander-List: OSHKOSH Hey John, Good to hear from you. New engine, huh??? I know all about new engines. 53X is flying great, with new engines, props, JPI analyzer, and a bunch of other overhauled stuff. I have been flying quite a bit, with projects scattered throughout the state. The airplane really hums along, fast and smooth. I have located an excellent mechanic here at SBP. He went back to study Commanders with John Towner=99s operation. He is now getting experience with a 680F (mine). Thanks for the contact info on Dave Phifer. I=99ll stop by and say hello. Randy Dettmer Architecture 663 Hill Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 805 541 4864 / Fax 805 541 4865 www.dettmerarchitecture.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of John Vormbaum Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 4:15 PM To: commander-list@matronics.com Subject: RE: Commander-List: OSHKOSH Hi Randy, I'm not going this year...Morris is hanging my new engine tomorrow (yay!). I hope to see you in Carson City for the fly-in though. I just talked to Dave Phifer from Washington state, he's a super guy, and he's sitting under his wing at Oshkosh watching the thunder & lightning and trying to stay dry. He has a 500B with the Merlyn 320hp upgrade, and he flies it a ton. I'll email you his cell # directly in a moment. Look him up, I'm sure you guys have lots in common. Also stop by the Brightline bags booth http://www.brightlinebags.com/ while you're there and say hi to my close friend Bryan Smith. I have a bag from them and I think it's the best pilot bag ever made. Drop my name and Bry will probably give you a great discount! How's your airplane? Been flying much? Cheers, /J ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Randy Dettmer, AIA Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 3:05 PM To: commander-list@matronics.com Subject: Commander-List: OSHKOSH Greetings from Commanderland, Anybody going to OSH ..?? I am heading to Oshkosh tomorrow to spend a couple of days at the air show on Wednesday and Thursday. If any of you will be there (with your Commandersor not) please give me a shout to touch base. It would be nice to say hello and share some CC ( =9CCommander Camaraderie=9D ). Cell phone is 805 459 0806. Randy Dettmer, AIA 680F / N6253X Dettmer Architecture 663 Hill Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 805 541 4864 / Fax 805 541 4865 www.dettmerarchitecture.com




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